Kyle Poppell

Birthday Surprise (Personal Photo)

When first picturing a hero, most imagine someone with superhuman strength or individuals who risk their lives in return for a safer community. These answers are correct and great examples in every way, but not the category to which my hero falls under. My hero may seem just as average as the next guy, but to me is just as unique and rare as Superman. My hero became one of the 6 billion living inhabitants in our world and, although he became just another face on earth, he’s become the one face I look up to and admire most.

As one can understand, family plays an influential role in my life. They are the people I go to for help, the people I surround myself by every day. My cousin, Kyle Aaron Poppell is one whom I see as a hero. His personality and characteristics, the way he lives every day, he inspires me to try harder and not take anything for granted. Kyle, along with his 2 brothers, has been through more than any person should endure, and yet not been negatively influenced by it. For this, I see him fitting right next to Spiderman, swinging from building to building.

One of Kyle’s stronger characteristics is bravery and caring for others. Currently, he is a pilot at a private flight operations center in Gainesville, Florida. Flying around 8,000 feet in the air, Kyle spends a good amount of time up in the air. However, rather contradictory, one of his biggest fears is heights. It may not seem like the biggest form of bravery, but to me just facing your fears takes a great deal of determination, let alone to make it your occupation. Along with being a pilot in Gainesville, Kyle has made hospital organ deliveries all throughout the southeastern part of the United States. I view these two traits as playing a large part of what I see in a hero.

Cousin's High School Graduation (Kyle far left) (Personal Photo)

As mentioned before, Kyle’s family has been through many ups and downs over the past years. He has an older brother named Chris, who is 24, a younger brother named Taylor, who is 17, making him be the one in the middle and 22 years old. These three amazing boys have lost both their mother and father, my Uncle Chris and Aunt Pam, by the evil dominating villain of our everyday lives, cancer. Uncle Chris died first, when Kyle was 5, in September of 1992. Then just a mere 14 years later, while Kyle was 19, Aunt Pam followed to join her husband. During his mother’s sickness, Kyle was accepted to Embry Riddle University in Florida with a small scholarship. This aeronautical university was perfect for Kyle’s aircraft dreams and aspirations, but he declined and decided to stay close to home and go to Santa Fe Community College. Losing loved ones can affect people of ranging ages in different ways even though they share the same overflowing emotion for the lost individual. Everyone in our family felt the little piece of heart that they took up to heaven with them, but the three brothers the most. It amazes me to see how Kyle has been able to stay breathing above the fog that comes lingering after death. Of course I’m not at all implying that Kyle never felt or was affected by losing both his mom and dad, I’m simply showing my awe towards what an amazing life he is still living. To be self sacrificing of one’s hopes for a family member is a strong characteristic which I hope I’ll portray when the situation comes.

Kyle was always the cousin I looked forward to seeing most. Whenever I see him, I tend to swarm him with questions of little things he does. Some spark goes off in my head and everything about him fascinates me. When I think about Kyle in my head, he ties my thoughts together. Not like a “puzzle” tying my thoughts together way but a “scramble” or “knot” tying my thoughts together way. I believe that’s what first gave me inspiration to write about him as my hero. He’s indefinable, yet amazing. It’s impossible to pick one word that describes him the most because he’s such a unique individual. However, after saying all of that, I can define him in two, he is a rare soul.

He’s unlike any other. He’s unique. He’s a one of a kind hero. It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t climbed Mount Everest or found the cure of a rare disease, it’s the simple fact that he breaths in air. It’s the little things he does that I’ve mentioned that make him a hero. Kyle has lost a lot loved ones in his life, and yet gained back more. People who get to be with him everyday may not notice the fine details I’ve pointed out, and I might have just described any old person to you, but I believe one has to step back from the picture to receive the whole image. Kyle Poppell, cousin of mine, is my hero, he’s my rare soul, he’s unmatchable. Kyle is taking his life step by step, adding to the massive group of people living on Earth. The little things he does in his life are seen like giant accomplishments to me, and he will always be a hero in my eyes.